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Unifor’s Stellantis Council, representing more than 8,000 members working at Stellantis facilities across Canada, strongly condemn the company’s decision to relocate future J4U (Jeep Compass) vehicle production from Brampton, Ontario to the United States.
Stellantis’ decision is an egregious violation of the company’s collective agreement commitments made to our union, our members and their families.
Unifor’s Stellantis Council unequivocally rejects this decision. Our Council and its members will take all necessary steps to reverse this decision, in coordination with Unifor’s national leadership.
Stellantis’ actions are appalling. Since February 2025, when the company first notified the union of delays in Brampton Assembly Plant retooling and J4U program implementation, Unifor sought clarity on the company’s reasons, as well as timelines for work to restart. For 8 months, company representatives reassured us that the vehicle commitment to Brampton was unchanged – although they consistently failed to communicate regular updates to our members. It was not until minutes before Stellantis’ public announcement on October 14, 2025, that our union was notified of this program change. This is totally disrespectful and inappropriate behaviour by the company.
Subsequent news reports, and public comments from Stellantis CEO Anthony Filosa, suggest there are “strong plans” in the works for Brampton Assembly, and that discussions are taking place between the company and Canadian government. To be clear, Unifor has not been notified of any alternative plans for production at Brampton. There is no reason to treat these public statements as credible, or reliable. And further, the federal government is not the legal bargaining agent for Brampton Assembly Plant workers. Any future conversations about the future of Brampton Assembly Plant must include Unifor.
Stellantis’ actions this week are a blackmark on the company’s 100-year history of automaking in Canada. The company has betrayed the union’s trust, the trust of its workforce, and of all Canadians. This behaviour will not be tolerated by Unifor.
Unifor’s Stellantis Council expects a strong and immediate response from government. The federal government must hold Stellantis accountable for its decision, including by eliminating Stellantis’ preferential tariff remission treatment for U.S.-made imports and by pursuing legal action for Stellantis’ breach of its public funding commitments. Unifor will coordinate with the federal and provincial governments in considering additional penalties and will continue to demand governments fully defend the domestic auto industry while seeking a fair and permanent resolve to U.S. auto tariffs.
Our Council also calls on the federal government to put in place an action plan and strong policy response to protect the Canadian auto industry and Canadian auto plants from further disruption. For the past months, our union has raised alarms over Canadian vehicle and parts program cancellations and relocations, that have put thousands of autoworkers and Unifor members on layoff. The threat facing Brampton is only the latest incident.
Our union’s position is clear and straightforward: Stellantis must immediately reverse its decision to relocate Brampton production of the contractually committed J4U program. This program must remain at Brampton Assembly, and retooling must commence as soon as possible. Unifor members ratified a collective agreement with Stellantis in 2023 based on the company’s commitment to this, and other product programs. Stellantis must live up to this commitment at Brampton.
Until such time as plant retooling is complete, and workers return to their jobs, our union expects all members will receive enhanced income security and benefit continuation.
Unifor’s Stellantis Council commits to ongoing dialogue with its affiliate locals, in-plant leadership, and Unifor National in determining next steps to protect the jobs of members at Brampton Assembly Plant, and across all of Stellantis Canada’s operations.
Our Council, and its affiliate locals, is prepared to take direct action, by any means necessary, to protect the jobs of our members.
